David Rozsival (LW, L, 6’1″, 180, Bili Tygri Liberec, 06/01/2007)
David Rozsival is a smart, efficient, and offensively productive winger with the skating foundation, scoring touch, and hockey IQ to warrant NHL draft attention. He brings positional maturity, elite shot metrics, and the kind of detail-oriented play that translates to a supporting NHL role. While he lacks physical edge and explosiveness, Rozsival’s consistency, adaptability, and high-end finishing ability — especially for a draft-eligible player playing meaningful minutes at both the club and international levels — make him a legitimate mid-round option.
Why David Rozsival Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Elite Shot Metrics
Rozsival’s scoring percentage (21%) on 1.27 Grade A chances per game is elite-level finishing. He consistently finds quiet ice, receives pucks in stride, and releases quickly with deception and velocity. His 2.3 shots on goal per game and 3.2 attempts reflect a shoot-first mentality, yet he remains selective and efficient.
2) Smart, Responsible, Detail-Oriented
Rozsival consistently supports the puck well in all three zones. He scans early, identifies pressure, and plays with structure. His 87% pass completion rate and +20 rating in league play reflect a player who makes smart decisions with and without the puck. His low penalty minutes (8 in 30 games) also speak to composure and discipline.
3) Mature Stick-on-Puck Game
He’s not a physical presence (0.11 hits per game), but he has a disruptive, efficient defensive stick. He pressures the forecheck effectively, cutting passing lanes and causing turnovers — contributing directly to scoring plays. His 1.27 loose puck recoveries and 0.68 blocks/game show additional defensive awareness and sacrifice.
4) Well-Rounded, Trusted Player
Rozsival played in all situations — 1:53 PP / 0:58 PK per game, and averaged over 16 minutes of ice time — for both Liberec and Czechia U18, despite being one of the younger players on the latter team. This versatility and trust from coaching staff in multiple roles speak to his maturity and hockey sense.
Why David Rozsival Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Lack of Physical Engagement and Edge
Rozsival avoids initiating contact and gets hit far more often than he delivers hits (1.18 hits against vs. 0.11 hits delivered per game). While he doesn’t shy away from traffic, at this point he’s easily outmuscled on puck protection plays and pinned along the boards when his feet stop moving. At 6’1″, 181 lbs, this is not a size issue — we feel it’s a mindset/strength issue. This shows up in his 48% puck battle win rate, which needs to be closer to 55%+ to project NHL reliability and success.
2) Inconsistent Playmaking / Low Creation Rate
Despite his maturity and puck touch, Rozsival averages just 0.64 pre-shot passes/game — below average for a winger with his skill. He’s clearly a finisher more than a creator. While this isn’t a red flag, it limits his projection to a complementary top-nine winger rather than a driver of a line.
3) Lacks Separation Gear or Explosiveness
His skating is efficient and clean, but not explosive. Without top-end acceleration or elite edgework, Rozsival relies on timing and spacing rather than burst. This could limit his ability to create his own space at the next level unless he adds more overall strength and power to his first three steps.
Projection and Outlook
Player Projection: A middle-six NHL winger with power play utility and bottom-six reliability. Capable of playing a variety of rolls in an NHL line-up.
Development Priorities:
Add strength and explosiveness — improve his ability to fend off defenders and separate from coverage in tight space.
Increase battle intensity — must consistently win more pucks and drive the interior.
Elevate his playmaking — more deception, more change of pace, and improved timing under pressure.
Draft Recommendation: 3rd Round
Rozsival checks a lot of boxes — strong scorer, trusted in all situations, mature positional game, and elite shooting results — but his lack of physicality and self-creation limit his ceiling. He’s an ideal value pick in the middle rounds for an organization seeking a responsible, intelligent winger with NHL tools and habits. The floor is high, and the potential for an NHL role exists if he continues to evolve physically.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images